New Chávez Term Celebrated—Without Him

As Venezuelan Leader Convalesces in Cuba, Thousands Turn Out to Cheer His Inauguration and Support His Movement

By

Ángel González And

Kejal Vyas

Updated Jan. 10, 2013 3:14 p.m. ET

CARACAS—Venezuela held an inauguration party on Thursday for President Hugo Chávez to kick off his fourth term. Throngs of supporters took to the streets. A few heads of state flew in. The only thing missing: the cancer-stricken president himself, who officials say is lying in a hospital bed in Havana.

Tens of thousands of people clad in red shirts and red baseball caps, the color of Mr. Chávez's socialist party, flooded downtown...